Grey Matter Designs

Forecast is Cloudy with a chance!

Admin — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:02:27 +0000

Everyone is talking about “the cloud” but what does that mean?
Many personal and business applications are moving to clouds. What many thought was just a fad has quickly gained momentum and has secured a place in the business world.

You’ve been using cloud tech for years and didn’t even know it!

Cloud technology has been used for longer than you may think. Sites like Photobucket, Fliker, Facebook, and even email are all programs that allow us to share files and information instantly with other collaborators using internet based services. This allows us to access thoses files from anywhere internet is available.

What does sharing files mean?

Sharing files virtually means giving other users permission to view and possibly edit, email, or publish files you have created. You can control the permission level for each person with whom you share.

How does sharing files in cloud help my business?

The virtual environment allows employees all over to access and modify all documents and applications that are included in the cloud. You can access files that you need no matter where you are. No more emailing yourself important documents only to have them lost.
Live sharing helps with version control. Making sure you have the latest versions of important documents is important. Because of cloud computing, you can now meet with your clients from all over the world in real time via video chats and webinars. You can even put together a professional presentation from your home if you needed to for an emergency meeting.

In addition to all of the exciting functionality within cloud computing, these services are very affordable and accessible to most, if not all businesses. We have put together a short list of some of our favorite cloud based programs that we use often in our business practice. All of which make everyday business tasks that much easier….saving you time, energy, and equates to a much more efficiently run business.

Skype:

Not only can you chat with co-workers and collaborators but you can also video chat and screen share. You can chose one or all these features to use.

Google:
Create, Modify, and Share Documents and Calendars with selected google users.

Drop Box:
Create, modify, and share documents/pictures/videos with any other drop box user. Signing up is easy and we recommend it for all of our clients while we work on their websites, advertising, or marketing campaigns.

Evernote:
Evernote is an app that enables you to create text, photo and audio notes, auto-synchronize your notes to your Mac, PC, makes text within snapshots searchable, bookmark the favorite pages, and get geo-location information for mapping and search.

WebEx
The iPad2 users can attend the WebEx meetings, no matter where they are! Users can enjoy full meeting experience with simultaneous data and audio. Also, the app provides the new features like high-quality, streaming 2-way video that takes mobile web conferencing to a whole new level. The users can attend the meetings while on the go.

GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is an easy and convenient way to attend online meetings no matter wherever you are. Downloading the app for free and joining a meeting within seconds just by entering in your invitation email is a fantastic way of connection. View slide presentations, design mockups, spreadsheets, reports and much more.

Still too much? If you have questions we can try and answer them for you!

Why Small Businesses Should “Check IN” to Foursquare

admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 21:05:19 +0000

Foursquare with almost 275,000 users, has become one of the hottest internet applications out there! For those of you that don’t know what Foursquare is….. it is location-based social networking service, mostly used on smartphones. The idea is that people “check-in” to venues and share it with their friends. They can write reviews and tips, almost like you can on Yelp. Think of it like 50% Social Networking game 50% City Guide. ALL IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND! Be careful not to dismiss it…. instead think of it as the powerful marketing tool that it is!

1) Foursquare appeals to a tech hungry crowd that is ready and willing to share with their friends – Foursquare users are people that really love their neighborhoods and love to leave reviews and tips about the businesses they love the most. Users are tech savvy and have multiple outlets to sing their high praises of your business around cyberspace with the stroke of a button. Encouraging these users to come to your shop is just good business!

2) Make offers – When you check into a business on Foursquare, you immediately received notice of any nearby businesses that have a “special offer”. Currently, Foursquare allows any business to use their platform to offer deals and promotions to users at no charge. I would suggest staying away from offering FREE things and gear your offers to have users buy something in order to get something. Foursquare users like offers to be special to them. So be creative.

3) Track and reward – Foursquare’s gaming functionality allows businesses to create special promotions for mayors and badge earners which sets up a fun competition among their fans. You can offer special promotions to reward your “mayor” (the person that check into your establishment the most) Foursquare can even track frequent customers so you can reward them. So they could receive a special incentive on their 10th “check in”- It’s like the digital/social version of the loyalty card.

4) Making it a game – One of the most intriguing aspects of Foursquare is the game. It’s always fun to compete with friends and you will be shocked at the lengths that people will go to wear the mayor crown.

5) Built in Analytics – Foursquare goes far beyond letting you know how many people have checked in. Foursquare provides business owners with complete stats for users.

6) The Bird’s the word – Like all good social media platforms, foursquare users have the option to tweet or add a Facebook status update every time they check-in.

Welcome!

Admin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:22:36 +0000

Welcome to Grey Matter Designs!

Social Media in the news

Admin — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:16:28 +0000

You see it in the movies, in the news racks, on tv… Social Media is a fast growing business market. To be competitive, businesses have to embrace the largest growing market or risk falling behind in this fast past environment. Social media optimization (SMO) is the process by which you make your content easily shareable across the social web. Building a social media program is an exciting opportunity and chance to dramatically change the way you connect with consumers. It’s not a FAD, it’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate.

Why every business needs a Website

Admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:22:05 +0000

The days of flipping through thousand page phonebooks to find a business are nearly over. Adversely, businesses who continue to spend a gratuitous annual advertising expense to be listed in unused directories are not.

Even the tried-and-true hotels are gradually foregoing the purchase and use of phone directories in their rooms. Business advertising has turned digital and to be a competitive business you have to have a website.